]]>Showtime is still prepping the documentary Kobe Bryant’s Muse, which they assure the public will present “a side of Kobe Bryant that the public has never seen before.” One could only presume that means a decent side, a side aware that other humans exist and deserve respect, a side that honors the institution of marriage, a side that passes the ball when it realizes its broken-down body is not what it used to be. That kind of side.

“Rarely has a superstar athlete afforded this type of access and engaged in this level of self-reflection during his playing career. Throughout his NBA career, Kobe has been an intensely private person, so in many ways this film is the antithesis of the Kobe Bryant that the public has come to know.”

I watched the whole thing, and other than an insatiable desire to buy Nike sneakers, I think it’s a pretty cool little movie. Kobe Bryant is pretty funny in his scenes with Robert Rodriguez and he does a good job pretending to be a basketball player. My one complaint would be that Kanye West is far too babyfaced to play a super-villain. Look at him, he’s adorable! (via io9)

]]>http://www.screenjunkies.com/video/see-the-new-short-filmnike-ad-with-kobe-bryant-the-black-mamba/feed/0Expectations Sky High For Kobe Bryant’s Movie Acting Debuthttp://www.screenjunkies.com/movies/movie-news/expectations-sky-high-for-kobe-bryants-movie-acting-debut/
http://www.screenjunkies.com/movies/movie-news/expectations-sky-high-for-kobe-bryants-movie-acting-debut/#commentsSat, 19 Feb 2011 02:51:46 +0000http://www.screenjunkies.com/?p=28915Many of the greatest movie actors began as basketball stars. That's why they study 'Space Jam' and the filmography of Shaquille O'Neal in every film history class.

]]>Many of the greatest movie actors began as basketball stars. That’s why they study Space Jam and the filmography of Shaquille O’Neal in every film history class. So you can imagine how excited the acting community is to have Kobe Bryant slam dunk onto the big screen. Or maybe it’ll be more of a layup. Or a missed free throw attempt. Whatever it is, it’s happening.

Bryant will star in a short film by director Robert Rodriguez, which will screen at select theaters ahead of PG-13 and R-Rated movies. This is not the first time the Laker star has expressed his inner Bryant. He played a basketball player on “Moesha” and tackled the equally challenging role of himself on “All That.” To up the acting credibility of the cast, SAG Lifetime Achievement Award winner Kanye West joins as a character known as “The Boss.” Here’s a plot description: